EIGHT people suspected of torching houses in Kigeme Cell, Gasaka Sector on Monday and Tuesday, have been arrested and detained at Gasaka Police station in Nyamagabe District, the Police spokesman has confirmed.

Police Spokesperson, Supt Eric Kayiranga, told The New Times on Wednesday, that preliminary investigations indicate that the Tuesday and Wednesday’s incidents could have been triggered by family wrangles as most of the suspects have close family ties.

"We highly suspect that this is a case of internal conflicts in families,” Kayiranga said.

Four homes were targeted on Monday night but local residents managed to put them out but not before it destroyed the fencings that are mainly made of dry leaves and grass. All occupants of the houses escaped unhurt.

On Tuesday, another grass thatched house was burnt down but the owner also escaped unhurt. This follows a similar incident last week where unknown people tried to burn down a house in the same cell but residents managed to put it out but destroyed a cow shed.

"We are holding security meetings with the local population to assure them of their security, together with the local residents, we have also rebuilt the house that was burnt down,” said the Sector Executive Secretary, Richard Gasana.

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